Lagertha entered her home and heard footsteps running toward her. "Mother, you returned!" a little boy yelled, and two other girls followed.

The shieldmaiden smiled at the sight of her children. "Fridleif, my son." She extended her hands out to her son. Fridlief is twelve years old and has his mother's traits. He had short, curly, light blonde hair and blue eyes. His dark pink lips were chapped from the cold air; dark freckles were all over his face. Although young, Fridleif had a strong appearance that could intimidate children his age. 

Lagertha and her son separated as she hugged her twin daughters, who looked identical; only their clothes indicated who they were. Hilda and Thyra were ten years old and had Ragnar's dark blonde hair and their mother's blue eyes. The twin girls were tall and thin with clear skin. Even with their innocent appearance, they had a hint of mischief and were known to be pranksters.

"It's good to be back home." Lagertha noticed the older wetnurse who raised the children when Lagertha and Ragnar were at their raids. "Yrsa, did the children behave while we were away?"

Yrsa was in her late fifties with messy dark brown hair with many gray hairs. She had a few wrinkles with an average look and body. When Yrsa smiled, her teeth were light yellow, making her a little older. "Your son was very well-behaved; your daughters tried to behave but can't contain their nature of creating trouble."

The twin girls smiled innocently as their mother glared at them. "You girls should know better than to make trouble."

"Mother, what else can we do around here? Our brother won't train us with sword fighting while you and Father were away. We need to keep ourselves entertained," said Hilda.

Fridleif rolled his eyes. "You two hardly pay attention when I try to train you. Why should I bother wasting my breath if you both will start playing around?"

Thyra put her hands on her back while letting out an innocent smile. "Maybe it's because you're a boring teacher, unlike mother and father." She giggled, making Fridleif blush a little.

Lagertha smiled at her children's antics. She missed being home with her children. They distracted her from her marriage difficulties. The shieldmaiden knew that Ragnar blamed her for the failed plan to gather information and put a stop to Itzvar. She was not going to hear the end of it. Her thoughts were interrupted when she heard movements behind her.

The children's faces glowed. "Father! You're home! You're okay!" They ran to Ragnar, who lowered himself, kneeling while extending his arms. His children ran to his arms; however, their weight made him lose balance, and he fell on his back while his children were on top and hugging him. "Father, we've been worried about you! We heard that Itzvar man caught you!" said Thyra.

"Well, father's here, so that means he escaped and killed that man!" said Hilda.

Ragnar slowly sat up as his children lessened their grip on him. However, he hugged his children again. "I have missed you all. I'm happy to be here with you all."

"Father, I have been training with my sword skills. I was wondering if we could train soon so I can show you how good I have become," said Fridleif. 

"Soon, my son. However, I must rest after a long journey." He looked at Yrsa. "Please take them to their rooms."

Yrsa nodded and motioned the children away while they let out an annoyed groan; the couple was left alone. "You left the women to Maja? Was that even a good idea? Maja is not one for company."

"It would be good if Maja had an apprentice. Sophia seems to know about medicine; both can teach each other knowledge. It also can benefit our village, and the people have been getting ill occasionally."

Lagertha scoffed. "You seem to put too much trust in that woman. She will only spew troubles."

"Maybe. If Itzvar decided to get her back, then so be it. Either way, we will face him again eventually. I tend to take his head, which is why we must plan." He noticed his wife looking at him. "You don't agree?"

"I wonder if there is more to what you say."

Ragnar sighed as he walked towards their room; Lagertha followed. "Jealousy is not like you, wife, and it's becoming an annoyance."

"I, jealous of that woman? You jest."

Ragnar began to take off his shoes. "Deny it all you want. In the end, she and her friend stay. Meanwhile, inform the village that a feast will take place tomorrow night to celebrate our safe return. Also, we must inform the people about our next plans."

Lagertha glared at her husband but went to do what she was told. As she left, her children stood by the doorway to their rooms and heard much of their parents' conversation. The children stuck their heads out, looking at one another. "Mother and father were arguing again," said Thyra.

"I'm curious about this woman they were talking about. Mother always seems jealous when Father speaks about other women," stated Hilda.

Fridleif was silent for a while. "They did mention that she was with Maja."

"What are you thinking?" the twins asked with a mischievous grin.

"Let's meet this woman that Father and Mother speak about."